| "There is a time for departure, even when there's no | | | | past and can't see what might be ahead. As we learn |
| certain place to go." -- Tennessee Williams | | | | to accept that the old is no more and that we must |
| The words change and transition are often used | | | | embrace the new, we are in transition. |
| interchangeably. In truth, they have very separate | | | | Sometimes transitions are not created by change (or |
| and different meanings. | | | | at least not by change we can identify), but, by an |
| Change is a one-time occurrence: we change jobs, | | | | internal shift in our being: a shift that tells us |
| change clothes, change living arrangements. Change is | | | | something is different in the way we feel about |
| a shift from one person, place or thing to another. | | | | certain people, places, or things. Transition can |
| Transition is the ongoing process of dealing with a | | | | sometimes precede change. When we decide to look |
| change. Transition is letting go of how things were | | | | for a new job, we don't just wake up one morning |
| and embracing how things might become. Transition is | | | | and decide to make a change. Rather, it is usually an |
| a shift from one state of being to another. | | | | idea that has been formulating for some time |
| Change can be self imposed or imposed upon us. | | | | (transition). We may have been unhappy in our job |
| Buying a new home is usually a change we impose | | | | for a long time, wanting more responsibility, a higher |
| upon ourselves. Moving into the new home is the | | | | salary, a new boss or even a new career path. When |
| change. Learning to let go of the way things were is | | | | we have accomplished the "idea" time we are ready |
| the transition. In moving to a new home this could be | | | | to make a change. |
| dealing with a new route to work, missing our old | | | | So far it looks as if our lives are in a continuous |
| neighbors, learning to use new appliances. Until we are | | | | stage of transition and they are. With that said, it is |
| comfortable with the new and willing to let go of the | | | | important to develop the skills to live in transition. |
| old we are in transition. | | | | Transition periods can be the most productive |
| The death of a loved one is a change imposed upon | | | | periods of our lives, if we understand that letting go |
| us. Not only did we not choose the path we are on, | | | | is not dismissing what has happened. Transition is, |
| but also we aren't even sure if we can see a path. | | | | instead, the period in which we accept what has |
| We are confused, frightened and sometimes feel | | | | happened and we search for the path to follow |
| powerless to accept the change thrust upon us. We | | | | forward. That search can lead us to new and |
| can't move because we are unable to let go of the | | | | creative ways to live our lives. |